Do not arrive 1 minute after 2 p.m. they will not take you I have experienced that. Arrival start around 11 a.m. I would say get there between 12 and 1 at the latest
For comfort, get there by noon. Bring your own lunch (Subways!) and a good book and get ready to kick back. Check your ticket info, but I think last call 1 or 2pm.
No later then 2pm. At lorton..Plaza.. there chinese food..hamburger resturant..Japanese Hibachi resturant..delicious...loits to eat there
Try to get there as early as you feel like sitting around all day they stop taking vehicles at 2 p.m. they say 2:30 but realistically it's really 2 p.m. they start loading passengers around 3 p.m. they don't start taking check-ins until 11 a.m., after they are finished off loading that mornings arrivals.
Amtrak says to be at the station by 2 pm. In reality you want to get there earlier than that to check in. You can check in as early as 9 am then leave with your car to explore the area but you must have your car back by 2 and everyone has to get on thee train at 2:30. There are plenty of restaurants close to the station so you can check in, get your meal time then go have lunch. In Sanford they have a shuttle service that goes to downtown Sanford where there are restaurants and shops. In Lorton you are on your own but there is a plaza in walking distance with a supermarket, liquor store, and one sit down restaurant and a Blimpies. Use Google to search local resturants to find something that suits your taste and budget.
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